Henry seligman and emma seligman



(N0 ModeL) H. & B. SELIGMAN.

MECHANICAL TELEPHONE.

No. 320,181. Patented June 16, 1885.

UNITED STATES PATENT EErcE.

HENRY SELIGMAN AND EMMA SELIGMAN, OF IBVINGTON-ON-HUDSON, NEWV YORK; SAID HENRY SELIGMAN ASSIGNOR TO SAID EMMA SELIGMAN.

MECHANICAL TELEPHONE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 320,181, dated June 16, 1885.

Appiioation filed. March 15), 1884. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, HENRY SELIGMAN and EMMA SELIGMAN, residing at Irvingtonon-Hudson, New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mechanical Telephones, of which the following is a specification. Our invention relates, primarily, to a telephone which is especially adapted to be used and operated in large factories, printing-establishments, warehouses, stores, and, in fact, any and all places where there is more or less noise and confusion during business hours, and a consequent difficulty in conveying audible sounds beyond a very short dis tance. As at times it is extremely difficult to detect the import of a message when the receiving-diaphragm of the telephone is exposed where there is any great amount of external disturbance, and the sounds which are transmitted over the wire are blended with these external sounds, whereby their force and individuality are greatly diminished, it becomes important to provide a simple and 2 5 effective means for overcoming this difficulty.

The objects, therefore, of our present invention, are to greatly increase the Volume of sound transmitted and received, at the same time preserving intact its distinctness, and

0 also by means hereinafter described, of transmitting the sounds received from a distance directly to both ears, thereby preventing any confusion of sounds and rendering all messages distinctly audible.

To this end our invention consists of an acoustic telephone similar to that shown and described in our Letters Patent issued April 1, 1884., and is provided with abox or casing, preferably circular in shape, and made of 0 wood or any other suitable material. This box or casing is provided with two main diaphragms having filamentary connections between them. The diaphragms are each provided with a ring upon their exterior sur- 5 face. To these rings the connecting-filaments are attached. Upon the outside of the outer diaphragm are also placed cords or strings extending from the outer edge of the diaphragm to'the ring, to which they are atcached. The filaments which connect the diaphragms are also attached to these cords at suitable places. XVe have found by experiment that these cords intensify and increase the volume of sound very much by causing a unity of action between the two dia- 5 5 phragms. A re-enforce of silk or other textile fabric is arranged directly beneath the outside diaphragm. The inner diaphragm is constructed of the same material as the outer namely, oiled parchment or sheepskin-and the two are connected, as above stated, by filaments. Fastened upon the outside of this inner diaphragm is a re-enforcing-plate, preferably formed of cork, and upon this plate rests the ring around which the filaments are 6 strung. The ring is provided with a cap, as shown, and to this cap is attached the linewire. Against the inside of this cap is secured a tube or bar which extends from said cap through the inner and outer diaphragms to a suitable distancesay, half an inch, more or 1essbeyond the latter. This tube is provided on its outer end with an auxiliary diaphragm of metal, pasteboard, or other suitable material. This tube may have cork or wood inside 7 5 of it, or it may remain hollow, as experience dictates is the best. The auxiliary diaphragm may be connected to the tube by means of a small screw or pin extending into the wood or cork of the tube; or the diaphragm may be provided with a stud 011 its inner face,which is adapted to screw into the tube. The sound vibrations received 011 this diaphragm are conveyed directly to the line-wire through the medium of the tube'and the cap before mentioned. Having thus three diaphragms elastically connected and vibrating in perfect unison, the transmitting power oft-he instrumentis greatly increased. This auxiliary diaphragm, while being elastically connected with the oth- 9o ers, performs its functions entirely independently of the main diaphragm, and has been found by experiment to give very satisfactory results. I

For the better conveyance of sound under 5 certain circumstances we place upon the exterior of the instrument a trumpet or reverberating-chamber formed, preferably, of metal, and hemispherical in shape. To this we connect one or more speaking or hearing tubes. IOO

Other details of our invention will be hereinafter specifically referred to.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification, Figure 1 represents a sectional view embodying most ofour present improvements. Fig. 2 is a plan view ot'the exterior face oft-he inner diaphragm. Fig. 3 is a similar view of the outer diaphragm. Fig. at represents an elevation of the trumpet or reverberatin g chamber an d the doublespeaking and hearing tube. Fig. 5 represents a sec tional View of what we term our auxiliary diaphragm, showing its connections through the diaphragm with the line-wire direct. Fig. 6 is a plan view of the same.

In the drawings, A represents the box or casing of the telephone, which may be constructed of three parts, a a a. In the crosssection, Fig. 1, the annular portion a is represented somewhat thicker than the other parts.

.This form we have found gives better results than where it is hollowed out, as the latter reproduces and confuses the sounds within the instrument.

B B are the outer and inner diaphragm, respectively. They are made, preferably, as before stated, of parchment or sheepskin. They may be oiled or varnished, or both. For a suitable varnish we have employed collodion with satisfactory results. This serves to stiffen the diaphragm and render it impregnable to moisture. A re-enforce of silk (shown at b) is placed directly under the outer diaphragm.

O are cords, arranged upon the exterior of the outer diaphragm, extending from the circumference inward to the ring D, to which they are attached, and which they serve to support. The object of these cords is to assist in carrying the vibrations to the center of the diaphragm. Filamentary connections 0' extend from points 0 of the cords O and d of the ring D to the ring E 011 the inner diaphragm. Between the latter and the ring E we place a re-enforcing plate, F, preferably formed of cork, which is attached to said diaphragm and vibrates in unison with it. This plate is not only beneficial as a re-e'nforce, but also serves to prevent the abrasion of the face of the diaphragm by the vibration of the ring thereon. Upon the ring E is mounted a cap, G, and to .this cap, at its central portion, the line-wire H is attached.

The portion a of the telephone case or box is provided with a plate, I, having a hollow stud, 1', through which the line-wire extends, the said hollow stud being provided with a screw-thread on its outer face. By this means the telephone may readily be attached to the wall and centered. Against theinner surface of the cap G is secured a tube orbar, J, which passes loosely through both the inner and outer diaphragms without interfering with their functions, and is provided at its outer end with an auxiliary diaphragm, K, of any suitable size, and formed of metal, pasteboard, or other suitable material. If a tube is employed, it may either be left hollow or filled with cork or wood. In this case the diaphragm can be attached by means of a pin. It may also, however, be provided with a stud having a screwthread on its inner surface, which is adapted to fit around the aforesaid tube J.

Attached to the instrument and facing the outer diaphragm, B, is a trumpet or reverberating-chamber, L, formed, preferably, of metal, the said trumpet being provided with extensionsl Z. The trumpet L is provided with an annular flange, M, which fits under and is confined by a ring, N, attached to the telephone-casing. This arrangement provides means for turning the trumpet without chang ing the position of the telephone itself.

R R are continuations of the tubes, and may be formed of rubber or any other flexible ma terial. They are adapted to fit over the ends of the tubes Z Z. By subdividing the tube means is afforded for applying theinstrument to both cars at the same time. Suitable calls consisting of reeds or whistles S are also provided. They may be inserted in the ends of the tube or in the casing of thetelephonc itself. Both forms are illustrated in Fig. 1.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new therein, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a telephone, the combination, with a main diaphragm and a chamber, of a supplementary diaphragm and a central stem for suspending said supplementary diaphragm within stid chamber and connecting it with said main diaphragm, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a mechanical telephone, the combination, with a line-wire and a main diaphragm, of a supplementary diaphragm connected to said main diaphragm by a central stem, sub stantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a mechanical telephone, the combination of an inner and an outer diaphragm, the former being provided wit-h a re-enforce of cork, a metallic ring, and a cap, and the latter with a metallic ring and radiating vibratory cords, the said rings and cords having filamentary connections between them and connection with the line-wire, as described.

4. In a mechanical telephone, the combination of the line-wire, a main diaphragm having a central aperture, a metallic cap attached thereto, a tube or bar secured to said cap and extending through said opening, and an auxbetween said rings, of a re-enforce, substan- 8. In a mechanical telephone, the combinatially as described, interposed between the tion, witha line-wire, adiaphragm, andaring ring and the face of one of the diaphragms placed against said diaphragm, substantially 1 and the line-wire, all arranged and adapted to in the manner and for the purpose described,

5 operate in the manner and for the purpose set of a re-enforce interposed between said diaforth. phragm and ring for preventing the abrasion 7. In combination with the box or casing of of the former by the latter, as explained. a mechanical telephone provided with an an- HENRY SELIGMAN. nular flange, with the trumpet also provided EMMA SELIGMAN. 10 with a flange whereby the said tube and the Witnesses:

trumpet may be turned and adjusted, as and '1. W. ORIsFIELD, for the purposes described. HERBERT KNIGHT. 

